"BORN OF GOD" DEVOTIONAL BOOK

John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

Man cannot obtain salvation through his own power, ability or wealth, but he can receive it as a gift.  Some people believe they merit being a child of God because of their own goodness, righteousness or religious affiliations.  Such persons look to their own intellectual and physical abilities, not realizing salvation was provided by God as a gift.

Romans 10:3, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."

THREE REASONS WHY ONLY GOD CAN PROVIDE OUR SALVATION:

(1)  The outward man can do nothing to bring about a new life for the inward man.  Flesh is subject to a carnal nature.

Romans 7:18a, "For I know that in me  (that is, in my flesh,)  dwelleth no good thing:..."

Romans 3:10, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"

Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

(2)  The physical man cannot understand spiritual matters.

I Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Isn't it interesting how some of the brightest minds of the world cannot grasp spiritual truths?  Nicodemus could not understand and he was a ruler.  Today, many do not understand.

Mark 10:15, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of as a little child, he shall not enter therein."  Man's ego often prevents child-like faith.

Ephesians 4:17-19, "...walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."

II Timothy 2:7, "Consider what I say;  and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."

(3)  Salvation is offered ONLY as a gift.  We cannot earn it or buy it.  We can receive this gift by faith.

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 4:10, "Jesus answered and said unto her, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest asked of him, and he would give thee living water."

Romans 6:23b, "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

II Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God."

John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons , even to them that believe on his name."

Conclusion:  Salvation is to be received on God's terms and not our terms.  Salvation is not something we achieve, but a gift which God freely gives to believers.  By faith we can receive Jesus Christ, accept God's gift of eternal salvation and become the children of God.

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